On Sunday, Djokovic will face by far his toughest opponent in Melbourne as he stares down a resurgent Tsitsipas, a rematch of the 2021 French Open final won by Djokovic. Neither player has lost a match so far in 2023. I'm really living my childhood dream to compete at the highest level in this sport, which has given me and my family so much from difficult circumstances.

But Djokovic eventually got over the line to ensure a marathon set would be settled by a tie-break. As Djokovic celebrated his victory, he paid tribute to Kobe Bryant by wearing a “Mamba Forever” shirt bearing the NBA legend’s famous No 24. Bryant, who died in 2020, was a good friend of Djokovic. The champion then embraced his daughter, Tara, who sat courtside during the match. At the most critical moment, Djokovic shored up his game and broke serve for the set with some spectacular defence. With the first set secured, Djokovic relaxed and gradually returned to the stratospheric level he has exhibited during the second week. There were some tight games, and Paul showed off his great athleticism by winning a number of high octane extended rallies, but in the end he had only three games to show for his efforts in the final two sets.Something appeared to be troubling Djokovic physically as he held a long game for 4-4 and survived Medvedev's first break point of the match. There is a little regret that I didn't win that Wimbledon final. But, at the end of the day, I have so much more to be happier and content with than actually to regret something." It was the latest record-setting milestone for Djokovic, who was already atop the men's Slam list and has now moved one major singles title ahead of Serena Williams to become the first player to win 24 in the Open era. Court also collected a total of 24, but 13 of those came before professionals were admitted to the Slam events. After the pair exchanged breaks early in the third, Djokovic took control to level Margaret Court's 50-year record.

Djokovic has now won titles at exactly one third of the majors he has played in (24 titles in 72 major appearances). He has reached the final in exactly half (36) of the Slams in which he has competed. It's not my interest or business to really review what everyone talks about or thinks, whether there is a passing of the torch, or whatever you want to call it, happening or not happening in the sport," he said. I don't think I have ever played a longer set in my life, particularly not on this occasion against a top player like Daniil," Djokovic said. "I think he was probably a better player in the second set. He deserved to win that set more than I did. Somehow, I managed to turn things around in the tiebreak. When it mattered, I put one ball into play more than he did. And that was enough." I never thought I would be here but the last couple of years I thought I had a shot at history. Why not grab it when it is presented?"I would definitely sign right away the paper if somebody would tell me I would win three out of four and play Wimbledon finals this year," Djokovic said. Djokovic was dialled in from the start of Sunday's final, playing patiently and precisely to break for a 2-0 lead, with Medvedev looking ragged as he fell 3-0 behind. When Djokovic lost to 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final it felt like a changing-of-the-guard moment in the men's game. The constant pressure led to another break point for Djokovic in the seventh game, but Medvedev hung on to hold as Djokovic tumbled on to the court after an energy-sapping 31-shot rally. He had to put himself through the pain barrier to be able to do it. I don't think Medvedev could have played any better. I just admire the strength of character he has but to find the layers he found in his game. It was perfection."

These are the moments and these are the kind of emotions that I motivate myself with every single day when I’m not playing a tournament,” Djokovic said. “Occasionally asking myself: ‘Why do I need this still at this stage after all I have done, you know? How long do I want to keep going?’ I do have these questions in my head, of course. We witnessed him tying Margaret Court with 24 titles. It has taken him a time to get there but he's done it. He's super-human isn't he?" she said on BBC Radio 5 Live. Djokovic, who surpassed Rafael Nadal's record tally of 22 men's major titles earlier this year, has matched Australia's Court at the second attempt after losing the Wimbledon final in July.I never imagined that I would be here standing with you talking about 24 Slams. I never thought that would be the reality," said Djokovic, a 36-year-old from Serbia who became the tournament's oldest male champion in the Open era, which dates to 1968. "But the last couple of years, I felt I have a chance, I have a shot for history, and why not grab it if it's presented?" Despite needing to stretch his legs several times and some moments of obvious fatigue, Djokovic was in control from the start on Sunday. He won 12 of the match's first 16 points for a 3-0 lead, and he dominated virtually every statistical category. While the result was a straight-sets victory, Djokovic needed to dig deep to endure several lengthy rallies, including one that lasted 37 shots, and the tiresome second set, which ran 1 hour, 44 minutes. With his fourth title at Flushing Meadows, Djokovic joined Roger Federer as the only players on the men's side with four or more titles at three different majors. It felt fitting that Djokovic set up championship point by winning another lengthy rally and, after being made to wait to serve by shouts from the crowd, sealed victory when Medvedev hit a forehand into the net. Second seed Djokovic looked physically troubled in that gruelling second set, but showed all the hallmarks of his greatness to win a fourth US Open title.